Returning to Thailand, Prum (Cambodia) into Ban Pakkard (Thailand)
This week I'm off for a quick border crossing to activate the second part of a Double Entry Tourist Visa I got in Vientiane, Laos (see Thread: Visa run Lao double entry)
Same process as it is for a person wishing to get an extra 15 days (land border crossing) by doing a fast exit/return
I live in Chanthaburi not Pattaya, but bear with me
Earlier this year I used a Pattaya visa run company, arranged to meet at a traffic light/intersection not far from home on Sukhumvit (runs all the way from Bangkok to Trat). We're about 2.5hrs from Pattaya and minivan arrived on time for me, 8.30am.
There are two main border crossings used by visa run companies on the Chanthaburi-Cambodia border
1 Ban Laem - Daung
2 Ban Pakkard - Prum
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I've been to both; Ban Laem is bigger with a large market area, but really, not a place i'd go for shopping the aim is 'there and back' quick as possible
Costs:
Visa Run Company
2000 baht seems standard. Just need your passport, copy of passport page with your details on it, and two passport photos
Fee covers travel, the visa for Cambodia (625b for Cambo visa US$20; note e-Visa cannot be used here so you get a full-page visa sticker for your 20min stay, plus exit and re-entry stamps - passport fillers), they do the paperwork you just have to sign a couple of forms, and maybe a courtesy 500ml water
Do It Yourself
From Chanthaburi minivans run to Ban Laem every hour from 6am, leaving from opposite Robinsons Department Store. Costs 100b each way. They leave Ban Laem also on the hour. It is slower, and Ban Laem is also a little further to drive, and they stop along the way to pick up people often loaded with goods they are taking to the market
Once you get there - well, I won't use the word mafia but the crossing is 'controlled' by the chaps in orange polo shirts, presume they have an agreement with immigration staff both sides of border. The visa companies use them too. There must be a way to 'do it yourself' without being shot, but i didn't bother. Handed over passport, photocopy and photos with 1200 baht (625 of this for Cambo visa US$20, rest their 'fee')
Duty Free
Ban Pakkard - been here a few times, last time they no longer let you cross the bridge, instead just pick what alcohol/cigs you want from a booklet and a driver heads across and brings it back. Prices hadn't changed, does save time as they're always in a hurry to get back on the road
Ban Laem - free vans run on the Cambo side to their contracted duty-free store, guess driver either an employee or gets a commission from customers he brings there
And back home again - for me/Chanthaburi, just over three hours total.
From Pattaya - about 9hrs 6am-3pm